I used to post on LG.net and can attest to the truth that you get attacked for being there.

You get called names, your psychological needs get analyzed, and you get told you are not welcome... despite their charter that says "all basketball fans welcome".

On the subject of Kobe vs. Shaq, I've always thought that as a business decision of the Lakers, if you HAVE to choose between them (which apparently they did), choosing Kobe makes business sense. He's younger and has many more years left than Shaq does.